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Director of Education [Taft Museum]

The Director of Education plays a vital role in stimulating audience engagement at the Taft Museum of Art. He or she brings vision and creativity to planning the array of educational programs at the Museum in accordance with the Taft’s mission and long-range plan, assessing existing programs and reshaping them as needed to build public involvement with the Museum. Current Taft programs include: docent training and continuing education; school and teacher programs; family, studio programs and adult programs; and community outreach programs. The Director of Education also serves as a conduit to the Museum for new ideas about learning, participation, and audience-building from the national professional arena. He or she must be passionate about art and object-based learning and must have the ability to arouse curiosity and spark interest among staff, public, and volunteers. He or she is a member of the senior management team of the Museum; supervises other education positions within the Education Division; has administrative duties and considerable public contact; and assists with fundraising for educational purposes.

The Taft Museum of Art is located in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. Greater Cincinnati is the most highly populated urban area in Ohio and one of the top five cities in the United States for per capita spending on the arts. The community is marked by lively music, theater, and visual arts scenes.

Work performed:

· Supervises the functions and responsibilities of the Manager of Public Programs, Manager of School and Docent Programs, Volunteer Coordinator/Scheduling Manager, and Duncanson Artist-in-Residence Program Coordinator. Evaluates education programs with staff. Provides program support as needed to education staff (e.g. family, public, and school programs).

· Acts as Museum liaison to the Robert S. Duncanson Society: works with Duncanson Executive Committee and Duncanson Program Coordinator to realize Duncanson programs, including the annual Artist-in-Residence program, Art in the Afternoon, and the annual Duncanson Tea.

· With Manager of School and Docent Programs, oversees docent and weekend volunteer training program, evaluating candidates for new classes every two-to-three years, delivering some lectures and training sessions, and testing candidates. Attends and reports at docent and docent council meetings.

· With the assistance of education staff, oversees less frequent programs such as Alzheimer’s Program, Brownie and Girl Scout program, and Summer Camp.

· With the Museum’s Institutional Advancement office, seeks funding for development, planning, and implementation of existing and new educational initiatives; assists with preparation of grant requests and final reports for foundations and granting agencies; oversees allocation of awarded funds. Collects educational statistics for grants and development proposals.

· Actively engages with interpretation of art at the Museum. Works with curatorial staff to develop interpretive materials for the permanent collection and provides comments on the visitor-friendliness of interpretive materials for special exhibitions. Collaborates with other education staff to create exhibition family guides. Works with docent committee to create tours of special exhibitions. Provides tours, talks, and lectures as needed at the Museum and in the community.

· Strength in time-management and multi-tasking in a fast-paced environment; willingness to work extended hours and some weekend hours.

· Outstanding interpersonal skills and written and oral communication skills

· Ability to represent the Museum with integrity and professionalism, to maintain confidentiality, and support management decisions in a positive manner.

· Ease with Microsoft Office Suite and PowerPoint.

· The successful candidate will be a dynamic and creative person and fluent and inspiring teacher.

To apply, please send cover letter, resume and contact information for three references to Christine Miller, Executive Assistant to the Director at cmiller@taftmuseum.org <mailto:cmiller@taftmuseum.org> . Position is open until filled. No phone calls please. The Taft Museum of Art is an EEO employer.